Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
So give the order to secure that tomb until the third day. Otherwise his followers might sneak in at night, steal the body, and tell everyone 'He's risen from the dead!' That lie would be way worse than the first one.
They were so worried about Jesus's followers faking a resurrection that they demanded extra tomb security.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of Matthew 27:64, this verse takes place shortly after Jesus' crucifixion in Jerusalem around 30 AD, when the chief priests and Pharisees approached Pilate out of fear that Jesus' disciples might steal his body. They referenced Jesus' own prediction of rising on the third day, worrying that a fabricated resurrection claim could mislead the people and cause greater unrest than his earlier influence. This request to secure the tomb reflects the religious leaders' desperation to maintain control and discredit Jesus' teachings amid rising tensions.
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